WIZARD INSIDER: SINESTROA closer look at the plunders, plots and predicaments that have shaped green lantern's most dangerous foe By Jeremy Brown

With Hal Jordan back in action as Green Lantern of Earth, it was only a matter of time before an old enemy resurfaced with a vengeance—yep, Sinestro’s back, and this time he’s brought a few friends. Under the direction of writer Geoff Johns, Sinestro has formed the Sinestro Corps, an evil variation of the galaxy-defending Green Lantern Corps. Armed with yellow power rings—a color once anathema to the Lanterns—and comprising the universe’s most savage and deadly Criminals, the Sinestro Corps promises to be the most formidable force Jordan and the Green Lanterns have ever gone up against once the “Sinestro Corps” arc in June’s Green Lantern #21 launches. “He’s far and away [Hal’s] greatest enemy, because of their roles,” notes Johns. “Hal is basically Sinestro, but he’s had a second chance, which Sinestro never got. When Hal looks at him, he’s looking into a mirror.” Take a moment to revel in some of the highlights of the life and times of everyone’s favorite pink-skinned, mustachioed madman.

Similarly, Sinestro’s appearance was inspired by David Niven, the oh-so-British star of “The Pink Panther,” “The Guns of Navarone” and the groovy, Austin Powers-esque version of “Casino Royale.”

TURNING YELLOWWhile banished to the antimatter universe of Qward, Sinestro allied himself with the fellow Lantern-haters, the Weaponers of Qward, who granted him his yellow power ring and battery. Longtime foes of the Guardians, the Weaponers sought to destroy the Guardians and the Green Lantern Corps. Lucky for them, Sinestro had precisely the same goals in mind. In a bid to prove his allegiance, Sinestro launched an attack that caused the entire city of Valdale, Calif., to disappear, making for one busy day in the life of Hal Jordan.

DEATH BECOMES HIMSinestro finally got his comeuppance at the hands of Hal Jordan during the “Emerald Twilight” storyline. In a murderous rage while under the control of the parasitic spirit known as Parallax, Jordan snapped the villain’s neck. “That’s probably my favorite Sinestro moment,” gushes Johns.

“Ron Marz did a great job with that story.” The joke was on Hal, unfortunately, as his “victim” turned out to be a construct created by Sinestro through Parallax himself, which readers learned in Green Lantern: Rebirth. Bad for Hal, but good for the rest of us, as it left him free to scour the galaxy and form the Sinestro Corps.

JEWEL OF THE VILENot only is Sinestro one of Hal Jordan’s greatest enemies, he also spawned another fierce GL villain—the original Star Sapphire, who was actually Hal’s girlfriend Carol Ferris! And when Sinestro couldn’t persuade the alien queen-Carol hybrid to kill Jordan, he attempted to woo her as her royal consort for some hanky-panky. If that’s not the definition of d--k, we don’t know what is, especially since Star Sapphire (minus the Carol quotient) still looks to take GL’s nads as a souvenir on a regular basis.

FALL FROM GRACEBelieve it or not, the guy wasn’t always all bad. At one time, Sinestro was considered to be among the greatest of all the Green Lanterns, even instructing Earth’s Hal Jordan in the ways of the Corps. Things went south when Sinestro decided that an ordered society stood the best chance of survival. And what better way to ensure order than through subjugation? Sinestro even went so far as to create a “Youth Lantern Brigade,” made up of Korugarian young’uns just dying to snitch on their peers!

THE FINAL FRONTIER?Sinestro’s animated history is a rich one, and sports more connections to the Star Trek universe than one might think. For the first three episodes of “Challenge of the Super Friends,” Vic Perrin, who also characterized Balok, Metron and the wandering space probe Nomad on “Star Trek,” voiced the character. “He had that cackley voice and the pencil mustache on ‘Super Friends,’” laughs Johns. “I loved it, but I don’t think they colored him right. He wasn’t pink enough!” In 2003, Sinestro appeared on the Daffy Duck spinoff “Duck Dodgers,” with voice by none other than John de Lancie, the man who gave us Q on “The Next Generation.”For more information, click here!Source: wizarduniverse.com

But who is this beautiful woman who appears out of the mist? As deadly as she is beautiful, she is cutting a bloody path through the city's villains, who now wear suits and have "legitimate" businesses. But who is her ultimate prey? And how does this Mirage take form? And why is her destiny and that of her sidekick Harper so irrevocably entwined? These and many other questions will be asked along with the most pivotal question of all – Who is Madame Mirage?

Dini weaves a tale of murder, intrigue and revenge in a world of high-tech espionage and treachery. Joining Dini is rising artistic star, Kenneth Rocafort (Hunter-Killer) with his atmospheric and kinetic style. The first issue features two covers by sensual cover artist Greg Horn (Superman Returns, She-Hulk) as well as a stunning cover by series artist Rocafort. Madame Mirage – you'll never forget her… if you can make her acquaintance and live to tell the tale. Oversized first issue featuring bonus additional pages of story and art!

[PREVIEW] Daredevil #98Karen Page. Elektra. All the women Matt Murdock has loved have been violently taken from him, victims of unspeakable tragedies and in Daredevil #98, his wife Milla Donovan may be next!

Written by ED BRUBAKERPenciled by MICHAEL LARKCover by MARKO DJURDJEVICRated T+ …$2.99

Karen Page. Elektra. All the women Matt Murdock has loved have been violently taken from him, victims of unspeakable tragedies and in Daredevil #98, his wife Milla Donovan may be next! The Gladiator has returned, more enraged and brutal than ever, with one purpose in mind: making Matt Murdock suffer! With the defender of Hell’s Kitchen in police custody and the Gladiator alone with a terrified Milla, things aren’t looking good for the wife of Daredevil…and history isn’t on her side either. The penultimate chapter of “To The Devil, His Due” will have huge ramifications for Daredevil as he races towards the milestoneDaredevil #100.

With his wife’s life in peril and seemingly no way to reach her, Daredevil may be headed for the worst day in life. One thing’s for sure—by the end of this issue, no one’s going to be the same!

THE DUDE ABIDES‘Nexus’ co-creator Steve Rude tells the story of how he and Mike Baron resurrected their classic sci-fi serial under the Rude Dude Productions label By Kiel Phegley

The first arc of Steve Rude and Mike Baron’s new Nexus comic is called “Space Opera,” and while the title is a perfect match for the classic indie serial’s mix of sci-fi action and high-concept drama, it might also be an apt way to describe the rollercoaster saga that has been Nexus’ return to the Comics page, which bombarded fans with cruel twists of fate but could ultimately bring euphoria.For those not in the know, Nexus was the critically acclaimed comic often at the center of the late-’80s bonanza of smart, independent genre thrillers. Initially published by Capital Comics, then First Comics and later holding a long life at DARK HORSE (which still publishes the series’ hardcover archives), Baron’s politically charged scripts and Rude’s Alex Toth-inspired illustrations rocketed the adventures of wayward space hero Horatio Hellpop to the top of a field of original indie books. Unfortunately, the long run came to an end over 10 years ago, when economic factors forced DARK HORSE to pull the plug on the monthly comic. Ever since, hardcore Nexus fans and curious Comics readers aware of the series’ reputation have been waiting for Baron and Rude to continue the saga.

In an unlikely series of events, Nexus’ return was unofficially announced only to be retracted several times, starting in late 2005 and running until last August. This July, Nexus will finally return, self-published by Rude’s Rude Dude Productions label. Heralded by a Free Comic Book Day Special, the new series will ship four-issue arcs in rotation with new issues of The Moth (another critically acclaimed, yet short-lived Rude DARK HORSE series) and a brand-new Rude-run anthology. To get the scoop on the return of Nexus to the shelves, from he and Baron’s early creative differences to his own setup as a one-man publishing house, Wizard Universe contacted the artist for a lengthy Q&A.

WIZARD: So Steve, how is life as a self-publisher treating you so far?

RUDE: It’s what I expected. There is a lot of business to take care of that only I can decide and I’m happy to do. It just takes a long time. Like today I spent until now actually, which is 2:30, just doing e-mails and business and stuff.

Ugh.

RUDE: It’s really not an “ugh” though. It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for and what I should be doing with my life right now, and the business comes with it. But mostly I like to be in charge because I want to have control and direction. I have complete direction over all the time I’ll be spending on something with my name on it.

I know right now you have plans to do more Moth stuff and obviously Nexus. But how many projects have you said, “This is what we’re committed to at Rude Dude”?

On June 12th the second Hellboy animated movie hits DVD shelves. Broken Frontier got a sneak peek at the film and is here to tell the tale.

Last year Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and live-action Hellboy movie director Guillermo del Toro teamed up with animation guru Tad Stones to bring an all-new version of everyone’s favorite demonic demon basher to the small screen... an animated version. Hellboy: Sword of Storms was anything but kids’ stuff and now it is being followed up with a second film, Hellboy: Blood and Iron, that tops its predecessor. There are thrills, chills, blood, bones, and even laughs to be found here in a story that blends the new with the familiar.

As Hellboy and Abe Sapien finish up a mission, B.P.R.D. founder and father figure Trevor Buttenholm experiences a nightmare recalling his first mission as a field agent in 1939. A mission that saw him the victor over Erzsebet Ondrushko – the "Blood Countess", a vampire and high priestess of the witch goddess Hecate. Only now Professor Buttenholm questions that "victory"... could Erzsebet be rising again?

When a cake walk mission comes up – an investigation of a haunted house that is little more than publicity and political favor – Bruttenholm senses something more and not only assigns the B.P.R.D.’s top agents to the case, he insists on coming along himself! The Blood Countess may be returning thanks to her minions but is the elderly Bruttenholm up to this fight and more importantly can the other agents manage while worrying about him?

Longtime fans of the Hellboy comic books will recognize many elements from the mini-series Wake the Devil in this film but there are also situations and throwaway lines that touch on many of Mignola’s stories. This, combined with Mignola’s work as storywriter and Co-Creative Producer for the film, assures that the tale has a real, authentic, Hellboy feel.

Despite the familiar references, this story, and indeed this whole animated universe that Hellboy inhabits is very different than what is seen in the comic books. Professor Buttenholm, long since deceased in the Comics, plays a significant role throughout the movie and fans get a look, through flashbacks, at his past as a young, vital, wet-behind-the-ears agent. This contrasts with his role in the present as father figure for an odd, eclectic, and powerful family.

There are many new and different elements to Blood and Iron that make it surprisingly powerful and amazingly dark. The villainess, Erzsebet Ondrushko, is truly as evil as she is beautiful and storywriters Tad Stones and Mike Mignola seem to have enjoyed adding the influence of the great, old gothic vampire movies with her. There are also some sequences that, despite being animated, are cooler and creepier than anything I have seen in a modern horror film in a long time.

Despite the fact that these animated movies are also different than the live-action Hellboy film, the producers have chosen to use the same actors for the animated films. All of these distinguished actors and actresses bring an array of talent and provide the perfect delivery to their lines. Indeed, it is hard to imagine Hellboy sounding any way other than the way Ron Perelman voices him. Even Doug Jones, who provided the body for Abe Sapien in the live-action movie but not the voice, now lends the voice but not the body! Jones really does have the perfect voice for Abe, however, and additionally works well with the other voice actors – taking his cues from their performances and meshing his in.

Hellboy: Blood and Iron also takes the opportunity to expand on many of the characters. Buttenholm’s role has already been mentioned and Abe as well gets more opportunity to shine than in the first animated film. Indeed, the opening gambit with Abe and Hellboy not only showcases Abe’s abilities, it also displays the easy working camaraderie between the two characters.

The animated style is a bit angular and cartoony but it still manages to convey gothic overtones. Even more, although the art style is different from Mignola’s drawing style there are just enough recognizable touchstones to please comic book fans and give the animation a little different flavor than is the usual TV and DVD fare. The animation itself is also extremely well done – crisp, clean, and bright and the figures move well without any annoying jumps or skips.

In addition to the movie itself, the DVD is packed with extras including insightful film commentary by Stones, Mignola and director Vic Cook, interviews, documentaries on the making of the movie, an animated short adaptation of the Hellboy story "The Iron Shoes", and an original, Hellboy "E-Comic" by Mignola. The "electronic comic" is probably the weakest of the items since it contains animatics that move the "camera" from panel to panel. You have to sit with remote in hand and finger on the pause button because the animatics move entirely too fast. The designer obviously did not realize that half the fun of any Hellboy comic is sitting and staring at Mignola’s amazing art for minutes at a time.

On the other hand, one of the most enjoyable extra is Bruttenholm’s story. Within the film, the story of the professor’s first fight with Erzsebet is told in a series of flashbacks that move backward through time. These sequences can be viewed all together running chronologically in one of the extras – creating a kind of Professor Buttenholm mini-movie adventure!

Hellboy: Blood and Iron is definitely an improvement over the previous film and is almost certain to lease Hellboy fans as well as being a terrific gateway to those who have never met the character. There is a layered, inventive story told here with a lot of heart and wisdom, more than a few laughs, and some terrific, creepy moments. While there are a few rough spots in the story this team gets far more right than they do wrong and they are dedicated in continuing to improve.

ComingSoon.net has posted an update on the worldwide earnings of Spider-Man 3:In its sixth weekend, Sony's Spider-Man 3 pushed its overseas total to $539 million thanks to an estimated $7 million weekend from 6,205 screens in 77 markets. Worldwide, Spider-Man 3 has grossed $864.7 million, 13th on that all-time list.

Domestically, Spidey added $4.4 million this weekend to push its total to $$325.7 million. The third installment is 17th on the all-time domestic blockbuster list.